For Sweden, The `Ayes' Have It

June 24, 1999|By William P. Bohlen, Tribune Staff Writer.

LANDOVER, Md. — The Australian fans' chants of "Aye! Aye! Aye!" could have been a vocal tally of opponent Sweden's goals Wednesday night as the Swedes beat the Australians 3-1 in the Women's World Cup at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium.

Sweden scored twice in the first 22 minutes. Defender Jane Tornqvist scored in the ninth minute off a pass from captain Malin Andersson, and midfielder Hanna Ljungberg struck in the 21st minute after fellow midfielder Kristin Bengtsson crossed the ball past Australian goalkeeper Belinda Kitching for the assist.

But the Australians had chances to score. In the 29th minute, Australian midfielder Joanne Peters launched a shot from 30 yards out, but it sailed over the crossbar.

In the 32nd minute, Australia capitalized. Captain Julie Murray took the ball away from Tornqvist and beat Swedish goalkeeper Ulrika Karlsson on a breakaway for Australia's only goal. Murray, a forward, was also Australia's lone scorer in the squad's 1-1 tie with Ghana on Sunday.

Two Swedish scoring efforts in the waning minutes of the half were unsuccessful, keeping Sweden's lead at 2-1.

In the second half, the two teams battled for field position but could not make a move. Then, in the 65th minute, the 19-year-old Ljungberg broke free for a clean breakaway but was stopped by Kitching. Four minutes later, off a pass from Victoria Svensson, Ljungberg scored on a soft, quick tap that eluded Kitching, who was playing at the top of the box.

Australia will face China, one of the top contenders for the World Cup crown, Saturday. Sweden, because of its victory, has a better chance of advancing and will play Ghana Saturday.